Northern Ireland Executive to consider ease of Covid-19 hospitality rules

The Stormont Executive is set to consider the potential easing of Covid-19 hospitality rules at a meeting today (Monday).

The hospitality sector has been applying significant pressure towards ministers in desperate attempts to relax measures such as social-distancing and table service.

A previous meeting set for last week was cancelled after Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19, however she is expected to attend today’s meeting.

Indoor premises such as restaurants and workplaces are still required to comply with at least 1m, despite a legal requirement for social distancing no longer applying in Northern Ireland.

Although social distancing has been removed across the rest of the UK, people are still being advised to socially distance where possible.

Nightclubs in Northern Ireland also remain closed, and dancing is not permitted at indoor venues where music is played.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson had previously said “people need to know where we’re going; for example, in relation to our response on Covid, on economic recovery, our schools are back, so what’s happening there?”